So near yet so Far - Prelim Wrap

18 September 2017

Dramatic extra time loss to Scotch really stings but we will regroup and rebound

Post game rundowns from the VAFA and Local Press

Old Scotch will return to William Buck Premier in 2018 after they booked a spot in next week’s grand final following a 14-point classic against St Bernard’s at Trevor Barker Oval. Unbelievably, the two power house clubs were drawn on 74 points each at full time, giving the enthusiastic crowd another 10 minutes of football in extra time. The Cardinals had the momentum throughout extra time’s two five-minute halves and capped it off with Matt Seed nailing the sealer. Alexander Van Ryn starred for the Cardinals and was best afield, while Harry Larwill top-scored with three majors. Seed, Jordan Clarke and James Sansom each contributed two goals. The Cardinals will now return to the VAFA’s highest section for the first time since 2015 after facing off in next week’s Premier B decider against Old Brighton. Jack McNamara kicked three goals and was outstanding for the valiant Snow Dogs, while Domenic Iermano and Mitch Hughes were impressive. The young Snow Dogs will now regroup ahead of another tilt at the Premier B flag and promotion to Premier in 2018.

Local Press

St Bernard’s crashes out in VAFA Premier B preliminary final extra-time thriller against Old Scotch

Tim Michell, Moonee Valley Leader

September 18, 2017 1:44pm

A WAYWARD goalkicking display came back to haunt St Bernard’s in a thrilling VAFA Premier B preliminary final against Old Scotch on Saturday which went to extra-time.

The Snowdogs had 11 scoring shots in the last quarter as they came home with a strong breeze at their backs at Trevor Barker Oval, but posted 3.8.

St Bernard’s had 9.20 on the board to 10.14 when the final siren sounded, forcing the match into extra-time.

Old Scotch lifted its intensity in the two added periods and kicked the only two goals to record a 12.17 (89) to 9.21 (75) victory.

“We had them on toast in the last quarter and just couldn’t finish the deal,” Snowdogs coach Mark Riley said.

Riley said his team “didn’t look like scoring” in extra-time as Old Scotch booked a place in the Premier B grand final and earned promotion alongside Old Brighton.

“They dominated the extra-time period,” he said.

“But certainly in the last quarter, with two minutes to play we had kicked 3.7 to their 1.2.”

The defeat has left a “sour taste” in Riley’s mouth, with the former AFL assistant eyeing a third season in charge as he aims to re-establish St Bernard’s as a Premier Division club.

“In 2018 we start in exactly the same position that we started 2017,” he said.

“We have got to go and do it all again. That is just a fact of life. That’s the brutality of a relegation and elevation system.

“We were one kick off going back to A Grade and playing in a grand final.

“But we weren’t good enough to get that done. It’s back to the drawing board.”

Jack McNamara was prominent with three goals, but Riley felt the Snowdogs had few winners on a day where execution let them down.

“To get that close was a really good endorsement for our effort,” he said.

“But to win finals you have got to have effort and execution. We got the effort, we didn’t get the execution.”

Small forward Domenic Iermano and Mitchell Hughes were other standouts in the 14-point loss.

“I must admit I had dreams of going back up and winning the flag but that is not to be,” Riley said.